Saanich police have confirmed that they have called in the Vancouver Island Integrated Major Crime Unit to investigate a shooting death that occurred at a residence in the 700-block of Cameo St. In a A tweet from the police department at noon Tuesday (March 18) police also confirmed an individual was “in custody after fatal shooting.”
Police were called to the home at 7:16 a.m. Tuesday (March 18).
“The lone 911 caller reported that a resident in the home was in need of medical attention,” said Saanich police Sgt. John Price. He would not comment on who called 911.
Once police arrived, one person was taken into custody. Price would not provide any information on the deceased Saanich resident or the individual in custody, other than “they are known to each other.”
Staff Sgt. Todd Bryant said there are “no outstanding suspects.”
“I can confirm that we are not looking for any suspects and no one’s in any danger,” he said.
Police have not yet laid charges against the individual in custody, and are waiting on direction from VIIMCU to do so. Price said it’s his understanding that police can hold someone in custody for up to 24 hours without charges.
According to CRESTScanner on Twitter, a profile that monitors police radio calls, the initial report was “for a shots fired call. … Complainant reported a woman, man and dog all shot.” A tweet at 7:28 a.m., eight minutes after the initial call to police and the first tweet, reads: “later reports indicate the complainant may have mental health issues. @saanichpolice reporting 1 in custody.” Bryant could not confirm this information.
While police tweeted earlier in the day that the incident was a “fatal shooting” Price was reluctant to confirm that a shooting took place.
“I can confirm that there are reports of shots fired; a shot or shots fired. How many has yet to be determined and where those were – whether inside or outside the house – has yet to be determined,” he said.
He says more information is expected to be released tomorrow, now that VIIMCU has taken over the investigation. The next steps in the investigation are to secure a warrant to enter and search the home.
The B.C. Coroners Service is expected to conduct a forensic autopsy on the victim in the coming days.
A neighbour who has lived on the street for 16 years said nobody in his home heard anything unusual Tuesday morning. He and his family only learned that something occurred across the street when they went outside and police had the road blocked off. He said there is a friendly elderly couple that lives in that home with their dog.
As of Tuesday afternoon, Cameo Street remains blocked to traffic and the house is behind yellow tape. Police are expected to remain on scene throughout the day.
editor@saanichnews.com
